I'm open to suggestions on other ways to achieve this magic chessboard device that my Verditius character (Vulcanis Argens) is looking to make and sell but here's the best (and cheapest) I've come up with so far. I'm in real need of bringing the cost down.
The actual enchantment doesn't seem too expensive, it's only when you factor in the mandated Verditius selling price that things get out of control.
The Unseen Opponent
Description:
The device consists of two chessboards, the squares inlaid with
alternating gold and silver. When the pieces on one board are moved, the same pieces on the married board are also moved in the same way.
With one board retained by the owner, and the other gifted to a friend, this allows each player to participate in the game despite being many leagues distant from his opponent.
Each board will be iron with the playing area inlaid with gold and silver.
Each board will be inset into a table (designed to suit the purchaser).
Each board will come complete with a set of playing pieces in gold and silver.
Mechanics:
The effect is achieved through two chessboards linked through an Arcane Connection.
Each board has a variant on "The Unseen Arm", with unlimited uses and a linked-effect trigger.
The linked-effect trigger is an InTe Arc Sun Ind spell that listens for movement above and around the married board. When movement is detected, the Unseen Arm (ReTe(In)) effect is triggered. This trigger needs to be instilled as a constant effect.
The Unseen Arm variant is a ReT(In) Touch Conc Ind spell. The device maintains concentration. The Intellego requisite allows the spell to track the piece's movement as it is moved.
Each board must "listen" to the other for movements. This is the linked trigger. Once this spell detects movement, it replicates that movement through its Unseen Arm effect.
Design:
To achieve a constant effect:
Raise duration to Sun (adding two magnitudes)
Add one level for two uses per day
Add three levels for an environmental trigger (sunrise/sunset)
Linked-Trigger:
Base level 4 (perceive the object's surroundings) Per Mom Ind (4)
- 4 Magnitudes to Arcane Connection Arc Mom Ind (20)
- 2 Magnitudes to Sun Arc Sun Ind (30)
- 4 Levels for the constant duration (34)
The Unseen Opponent:
Base 2 (move an object in an unnatural way) Per Mom Ind (2)
- 1 Magnitudes to Touch Touch Mom Ind (3)
- 2 Magnitudes to Conc Touch Conc Ind (5)
- 1 Magnitude for complex actions (10)
- 3 levels for being triggered by an effect (13)
+10 For unlimited uses (23) - 5 For device to maintain concentration (28)
Cost to Build:
Base Metal x Large = 5 x 3 = 15 Pawns to Open (reduced to 9 through
Argens's Craft skill)
4 Pawns for the linked-trigger
3 Pawns for the Unseen Opponent
Total = 16 Pawns
10 Pounds of Silver
Cost to Buy:
Cost to Build (16) x 3 = 48 Pawns (House Verditius mandates that cost
of the item)
Mundane cost x 2 = 20 Pounds of Silver
That is just for one table. For it to work, two are required.
Venditore's "commission":
4 Pawns of Vis (Bargaining space)
4 Pounds of Silver
That comes out at 100 Pawns of Vis and 48 Pounds of Silver
The maths on the cost may be a little out as I've been adjusting as I've gone.
So, any hints or suggestions?